who are such worshippers as he seekes for who as a Lord faithfull over his house before his departure gave order thereto commanded his Servants to watch and to hold fast till he come and in his absence being at the right hand of his Father is mindefull to shed abroad of that holy Spirit of Promise whereby the true worshippers shall be led from truth to truth untill they be brought into all truth And if the nature of the commanding and ordering power that suits both with the worship and with the worshippers which the Father of Spirits seeks for be also considered which is not a law of a carnall commandment seconded with carnall weapons or an arm of flesh but a spirituall law or as the Apostle cals it Rom. 8. a law of the Spirit of life from Christ Jesus spoken unto or rather written in the heart of a Christian by the Spirit of Christ by reason whereof he obeyes from the heart readily willingly and cheerfully that form of doctrine which is engraven and laid up therein Heb. 8. 10. 2 Cor. 3. 3. Rom. 6. 17. If this I say be considered that the worship is spirituall such as must begin in spring up and rise from the heart and the spirit and so be directed to the Father of spirits and so the commanding power that suits herewith must speak to the heart and spirit of a man then is there no Lord in this matter to Christ Jesus the Lord who speaks to the heart in the Spirit and his words are as commands from the head to the members which conveigh together spirit and life to obey them by reason of which his commands are not grievous for where the Spirit of this Lord is there is liberty and they by beholding the glory of the Lord are transformed into the same Image from glory unto glory by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 17 18. And that there is none with him he is the onely Lord and law-giver of this spirituall building and so of the spirits in this sense appears by such scriptures as say One is your Lord and law-giver James 4. 12. Ephes 4. 5. Mat. 23. 8. 10. and by such as say ye are bought with a price be ye not therefore the servants of men and the Apostles that had greater authority in this point than any men living yet they acknowledge they had not Dominion over mens faith and therefore declare this to be the express mind of God that the servants of this Lord must not strive as if they were Lords but be patient in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves or as the word imports that set themselves by covenant in opposition to that living Lord. And whereas it is declared in the testimony that this houshold of faith was purchased by his blood as Priest instructed and nourished by his Spirit as Prophet c. this will all evidently appear to be true Acts 20. 28. John 16. from the 7. to the 16. 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12. Rom. 8. John 1. 2. 26 27. Rev. 2. 11. 17. 29. 2 Thes 14 15. 1 Cor. 11. 2. and 1. 7. And so is the first part of the testimony by the word of God confirmed and justified 2. I testifie that Baptism or dipping in water is one of the commands of this Lord Jesus Christ That this commandment of Jesus is by way of dipping and as it were by drowning overwhelming or burying in water and not by sprinkling with water appears many waies 1. In that although there be frequent mention made of that appointment of Christ in his Last Will and Testament yet is it never expressed by the word that may be rendred rantism or sprinkling but by the word that is rendred baptism or dipping 2. In that the word by which it is so frequently exprest doth in proper English signify to dip to plung under water and as it were to drown but yet so as with safety so that the party as to the manner may be drowned again and again see the instance of Naaman he dipp'd himself seven times in Jordan 2 Kings 5. 14. and to this sense of the word at least in that place both the Greek Latine and English Churches agree 3. In that the phrase in which there is mention made of such an appointment of Christ doth necessarily import such a thing and therefore when mention is made of baptizing there generally followeth that word the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is commonly translated in or into which suits with dipping and not the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies with and so suits with sprinkling And therefore it may be as well rendred I baptize you in water and he shall baptize you in the holy Spirit Mar. 1. 8. as it is rendred Iohn did baptize in the wilderness and in the River of Jordan verse 4 5. or that Iohn was in the Spirit on the Lords day Rev. 1. 10. and they were baptized in the cloud and in the Sea 1 Cor. 10. 2. yea it may as well be rendred I baptize or dip you into water as it is rendred they were casting a net into the Sea Mar. 1. 16. for the words are the same and it would be an improper speech to say Iohn did baptise with the wilderness and they were casting a net with the sea 4. That this appointment of Christ is by way of dipping and not sprinkling appears in that for the resemblance and likeness hereunto the Israelites passing under the cloud and through the sea where the Aegyptians that were their Lords and commanders their pursuers and enemies that sought their destruction were drowned left behind and seen no more is by the holy Spirit called a baptism 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. they were baptized in the cloud c. Where observe it is not here rendred with the cloud and with the Sea as in the other place Mark 1. 8. with water because it suits with sprinkling although the word be the same but in the cloud and in the Sea which suits with dipping or overwhelming and so with the appointment of Christ they passing through the midst of the red or bloudy Sea on dry land which stood on both sides as a wall and being under the Cloud were as men in a carnall eie overwhelmed and drowned and yet truly saved and safe from their enemies 5. That this appointment of Christ was not by sprinkling but by dipping or putting the person into or under the water appears by Philips baptizing the Eunuch It is said They went both down into the water both Philip the baptizer and the Eunuch that was the person to be baptized and being there in the water Philip baptized or dipper him in that water as John did Jesus in the river of Jordan and then it is said as they descended or went down into the water so they ascended or went strait way up out of the water see Acts 8. 38 39. Mat. 3. 16. mark the expression And Jesus when he
Crandall 5 li. Fine and to remain in prison untill their Fines be either payed or security given for them or else they are all of them to be well whipped When Obediah Holmes was brought forth to receive his Sentence he desired of the Magistrates that he might hold forth the ground of his practice but they refused to let him speak and commanded the whipper to do his Office then the whipper began to pull off his Cloathes upon which Obediah Holmes said Lord lay not this sin unto their charge and so the whipper began to lay on with his whip upon which Obediah Holmes said O Lord I beseech thee to manifest thy power in the weaknesse of thy Creature he neither moving nor stirring at all for the strokes brake out into these expressions Blessed and praised be the Lord and thus he carryed it to the end and went away rejoycingly I Iohn Spur being present it did take such an impression in my Spirit to trust in God and to walk according to the light that God had communicated to me and not to fear what man could do unto me that I went to the man being inwardly affected with what I saw and heard and with a joyfull countenance took him by the hand when he was from the Post and said praised be the Lord and so I went along with him to the prison and presently that day there was information given to the Court what I had said and done and also a warrant was presently granted out that day to arest both my self and Iohn Hazel which was executed on the morrow morning upon us and so we were brought to the Court and examined the Governour asked me concerning Obediah Holmes according as he was informed by old Mr. Cole and Thomas Buttolph of my taking of him by the hand and smiling and I did then freely declare what I did and what I said which was this Obediah Holmes said I I do look upon as a Godly man and do affirm that he carryed himself as did become a Christian under so sad an affliction and his affliction did so affect my Soul that I went to him being from the Post and said blessed be the Lord but said the Governour what do you apprehend concerning the cause for which he suffered my Answer was that I am not able to judge of it then said the Governour we will deal with you as we have dealt with him I said unto him again I am in the hands of God then Mr. Simons a Magistrate said you shall know you are in the hands of Men the Governour then said keeper take him and so I was presently carried away to prison The next day about one of the Clock I was sent for again into the Court the Governour being then about to go out of the Court when I came in delivered this speech to me said he you must pay 40 shiâ—lings or be whipped I said then to those of the Court that remained that if any man suffer as a Christian let him glorifie God in this behalf then I desired to know what Law I had broken and what evill I had done but they produced no Law only they produced what the two witnesses had sworn against me my speech thereto was this my practice and cariage is alowed by the word of God for it is written in Rom. 12. Be like affectioned one towards another rejoyce with them that rejoyce and it is contrary to my Iudgment and Conscience to pay a Peny then said Mr. Bendall I will pay it for him and there presented himself I answered then and said I thanked him for his love but did believe it was no acceptable service for any man to pay a peny for me in this case yet not withstanding the Court accepted of his profer and bid me be gone then came Iohn Hazell to be examined Iohn Spur. Here followeth the testimony of those that came in against me I Cole being in the Market place when Obediah Holmes came from the Whipping Post Iohn Spur came and met him presently laughing in his face saying Blessed be God for thee Brother and so did go with him laughing upon him up towards the prison which was very grievous to me to see him harden the man in his sin and shewing much contempt of Authority by that cariage as if he had been unjustly punished and had suffered as a righteous man under a tyrannicall Government Deposed before the Court the 5th of the 7th M. 1651. Increase Nowell I Thomas Buttolph did see Iohn Spur come to Obediah Holmes so som as he came from the Whipping Post laughing in his face and going along with him towards the Prison to my great grief to see him harden him in his sin and to shew such a contempt of Authority Deposed the 5th of the 7th Month 1651. Before the Court. Increase Nowell As for Iohn Hazell to my knowledge although he had some occasion of business in these parts yet the main business that drew him hither was to visit the prisoner whom he at this time took by the hand who was indeed his neer Neighbour lived in the same Town together walked together in the same fellowship and faith of the Gospell and had their hearts knit together in a more than ordinary neer bond of love and as a manifestation thereof he undertoke so great a journey it being between fourty and fifty miles to visit him he being indisposed by reason of his age for such an undertaking being between three and fourscore years old and when he was there understanding it would not be long before he should suffer out of the same tender love could not leave him before it was over who also accompanied him from the Prison to the Post and so back again now for him only for taking his friend by the hand when he had suffered his punishment and was loosed from the Post to be thus handled shall not the Nations that know not civility that neither fear God nor reverence man be astonished at this if this be to do to others as we would that others should do to us which is the Law and the Prophets the command of Christ and his Apostles let all true Christians judge the Man being old did professe as I was informed That if they should have laid the strokes upon him they would certainly have killed him which I know ceized not a little upon him and how far what was done had influence into his death the Lord onely knowes for as is before said the same day he went forth he fell sick and within ten dayes he died The Lord grant that no part of his death may be laid to their charge and that they may see the exceeding greatnesse of the evill of thirsting after the blood of the Innocent before the Lord come forth to avenge it and as to that story I shall say no more but leave the Reader to his own relation which partly in Prison and partly upon his death Bed as may
our friends house at Lin where we lodged it being two miles out of the town we were persued and also apprehended by the Constables under the name of erronious persons being strangers and by that power were caried after a full and clear manifestation of our unfreeness unto their Assembly then to Prison and after a while were also brought before their Iudgment seat in which two Assemblies to which we were forced they drew forth matter enough as they conceived to make us transgressors thereupon proceeded to sentence us without producing either Accuser Witness Iury Law of God or man whereby either we might appear to be guilty or they to be just and justified in their proceedings against us 2 After we were thus persued and apprehended under the name of erronious persons and strangers and by their Court condemned and sentenced as Herericks or scismaticks a motion being made by their Governour touching a discourse with their Ministers was readily accepted by us and often repeated and as often promised by them but yet could not be obtained as is here at large to be seen 3 Although through the mercifull hand of our God upon us we had wronged no man corrupted no man defrauded no man as he together with our Consciences then did and still to this day do bear us witness yet besides the exceeding great loss and detriment otherwise sustained we had all no doubt met with as cruell Scourgings as his faithfull servants of old had not the provident hand of our God so disposed the hearts of some of our friends to lay down our ransome by which two did escape and this did evidently appear in the third who came under their zealous yet merciless hands and received from them 50 stripes above the restraint of the Iews as writers report yea and such entertainment no doubt should strangers or Angels from Heaven yea Christ Iesus himself have received at their hands if they could effect it in case they should have come among them and not submitted as it is not possible they should unto that golden and glorious Image or likeness of the worship and way of God appointed by Christ which they have set up 4 When this faithfull Martyr and Witness that Christ is the Lord had born this fourscore and ten stripes cruelly laid on not only with a patient mind but with an exceeding great joy of the holy spirit as the spectators could not but discern and was loosed from the Post and was going to Prison again some being inwardly moved with joy in beholding the gracious support which the Lord afforded him as they have affirmed could not forbear to take him by the hand for which thing sake two of them were apprehended sentenced to pay each of them 40 s or els be whipt Let the Actors themselves and all that peruse their practice for cautions sake consider whether the spirit by which they are led thus to act be not very like unto if not the same which is seen Revel 13. Acting the second Beast that arose up out of the Earth which had two hornes like a Lamb yet spake like a Dragon and exercised all the power of the first Beast that was before him caused a lively Image to be made unto him and forced the Earth and them that dwel herein both small and great rich and poor free and bond to worship his Image and that no man might buy or sell save he that had the marke or the name or the number of his name Here is Wisdom and let such as desire from their hearts to live Godly in Christ Iesus and do as really expect to suffer with Christ in this present evill World as they do to reign with him in that good World which yet is to come let such I say consider and bear still in mind these expressions Revel 13. 10. He that leadeth into Captivity shall go into Captivity he that killeth with the Sword must be killed with the Sword here is the patience and faith of the S ints Rev. 12. 11. And they overcame him by the bloud of the Lamb and by the Word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Rev. 6. 9 10 11. I saw under the Altar the Souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they beld And they cryed with a loud voice saying how long holy and true wilt thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwel on the Earth c. Rev. 20. 4. And I saw the Souls of them that were beheaded for the Witness of Iesus and for the Word of God and which had not worshiped the Beast neither his Image neither had received the marke upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years And now forasmuch as it was boldly affirmed by a Solicitor for New-England and that in the Councell Chamber before that honourable Committee there assembled in Councell that men in New-England might freely injoy their understandings and Consciences provided they walk civilly among them and that they that suffered of late did not suffer for their Consciences but for some misdemeanor thereby endeavouring to possess those noble brests with that which is false therefore I think it necessary both for the Vindication of truth and to the end that such worthy persons may not be taken with or deceived by such unworthy reports so as to be drawn to countenance persons that walk in a way that they are ashamed in plain and open terms to prosess and acknowledge for these ends I say I think it necessary to produce their Laws at least such as speak to the matter in question whereby these two things will plainly appear 1 That they that will not or else in Conscience towards God cannot conform to their worship or suspend the worship of God as their Souls are perswaded are by the authority of their Laws to be forced to the one and restrained from the other and that the Magistrate is thereby not only justified in but also injoyned unto such a proceeding against them although the men otherwise walk not only as civilly or soberly as themselves but also righteously and Godly in this present evill World and are such indeed as are a Law to themselves 2 Although they have Laws thus to proceed to force all to their worship to restrain those that differ from them from that worship to which their Souls are perswaded yet in our case they were so far transported with zeal that what they did unto us they did without Law yea against those Cautions which their own Laws have provided Certain Lawes established in the Colony of the Mathatusets in New-England and drawn forth by constraint to prove that the Authority there established cannot permit men though of never so civill sober and peaceable a Spirit and Life freely to enjoy their understandings and consciences nor yet to live or come among them unlesse they can